Johannes HAHN, Member of the EC in charge of European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, presents the 2018 Enlargement Package during the meeting of the Committee on Foreign Affairs in the EP in Brussels.

Committee on Foreign Affairs

Brussels

meeting

Enlargement to North Macedonia (T)

Enlargement to Montenegro (T)

Enlargement to Albania (T)

Enlargement to Türkiye (T)

Enlargement to Serbia (T)

speech

McALLISTER, David (EPP, DE)

TANNOCK, Timothy Charles Ayrton (ECR, UK)

HAHN, Johannes (AT, EC)

enlargement of the European Union (T)

KUKAN, Eduard (EPP, SK)

PICULA, Tonino (S&D, HR)

Enlargement to the Western Balkans countries (T)

Presentation of the 2018 Enlargement Package by Johannes HAHN, Member of the EC in charge of European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations: extracts EP Committee on Foreign Affairs

SOUNDBITE (German), Johannes HAHN, Member of the EC in charge of European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, Albania has made substantial progress on the justice reform and other crucial priorities and the former Republic of Macedonia has overcome a deep political crisis and is making progress with implementation of reforms and with neighbourly relations, but of course there is by far no time for any complacency. There are no short cuts that passes on the way to the European Union.

SOUNDBITE (German), Johannes HAHN, Member of the EC in charge of European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, (on Turkey) I&rsquo;m afraid that our analysis shows that the country continue away significantly from the European Union in particular in the areas of rule of law and Fundamental rights. The EU COM has repeatedly called upon Turkey to reverse this negative trend as a matter of priority and we made very clear recommendation to this end in the report.

SOUNDBITE (English), Eduard KUKAN (EPP, SK), We need to see implementation of the reforms especially concerning the rule of law and the respect of Fundamental rights and freedoms. This concerns both Serbia and Montenegro who are both negotiating accession as well as in the countries preparing for opening of the negotiations.

SOUNDBITE (English), Tonino PICULA (S&amp;D, HR), The recognised achievements of Montenegro that is already far advancing in its enlargement process and hope that once Montenegro fore fills all conditions full membership can be granted without delay. In the case of Serbia the majority of critics and recommendation in the report confirm our constant concerns, the rule of law remains fragile, no progress was made in the field of freedom of expression and media, role of independent regulatory bodies must be strengthened.

SOUNDBITE (English), Tonino PICULA (S&amp;D, HR), If the new constitution is implemented without any checks and balances, the EU should formerly suspend the accession process and the question, are you Commission willing to draw the same after one year of deliberation.

SOUNDBITE (English), Charles TANNOCK (ECR, UK), Certainly I personally always championed of a&rsquo; rebata&rsquo; being preferable to countries being held back, to be made to join in blocks or groups. And there is always room to recognise that there are frontrunners, there are leaders and there are lagers in the accession process.

SOUNDBITE (English), David McALLISTER (EPP, DE), Addressing and implementing reforms in the area of rule of law and fundamental rights remains the most important task for Serbia, accession negotiation will not and never be an end in themselves, and there are part of a wider process of reforms. In this context and as convinced Parliamentarian I like to stress the fundamental importance of Parliamentary oversight in Serbia. Finally I welcome very much the initiative of PresidentVučić to launch an internal dialogue on the future of the relations between Belgrade and Pristina, this is very important.